This episode is a conversation between Catherine Whitaker and Billie Jean King.
Through stories about the Battle of the Sexes, the Original 9, the awarding of equal prize money at the US Open in 1973, her time spent with Bud Collins, and knowing Althea Gibson, Billie Jean connects the past with the present, explaining why it’s so important to know your tennis history and how it impacts the modern game.
Now 77-years-old, Billie Jean’s love for tennis and her desire for it to be as good as it possibly can be shine through. She makes the case for there to be more team events, recognises some elements which are holding the sport back, but ultimately provides an optimistic message about tennis’ future, buoyed by the direction leaders such as Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff are taking it.
There are moments of intense introspection, too, as she talks candidly about her struggle to be her authentic self, her regrets, the challenges of competing at the top level in your late 30s, what it means to ‘stay in the room’, and the responsibility that comes with having her name on the Billie Jean King Cup.
The Tennis Podcast is presented by Catherine Whitaker and David Law, and features Matt Roberts. It is produced weekly year-round, and daily during the Grand Slam tournaments.
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US Open Day 12 - Puke, Nerves, Agony, Ecstasy, Puke
US Open Day 11 - Women's semi-final night with Pam's tequila slammers
US Open Day 10 - Crap matches, good stories
US Open Day 9 - Sabalenka sizzles; Fritz, Tiafoe to clash for final place
US Open Day 8 - Muchova magic; Sinner vs. Medvedev is on; Pegula’s quest continues
US Open Day 7 - Gauff’s double trouble; Record late finish is nothing to celebrate
US Open Day 6 - Calm follows the storm; Double bounce video controversy
US Open Day 5 - Djokovic follows Alcaraz through exit door; Sabalenka, Gauff roar back
US Open Day 4 - Alcaraz out; Botic Van de Zandschulp, what did you do!?
US Open Day 3 - Shelton vs. Tiafoe is ON; Wimbledon champ falls
US Open Day 2 - Stories everywhere, a lost generation and the longest match ever
US Open Day 1 - Big guns cruise, but is it time to reframe Rune?
US Open Preview - Medvedev's mic drop, Draper’s despair, and getting pumped for Day 1
US Open - Djokovic, Alcaraz allay injury concerns; Krejcikova embraces the stage
US Open - Draws! And Sinner faces the music
Sinner’s title and positive test bombshell - our reaction
Canada - Pegula defends, Popyrin stuns, and are we in for a wild US Open?
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Olympics - Swiatek shocked, the end for Andy, Djokovic’s dream in danger & Vekic victorious
Olympics - Djokovic vs. Nadal reviewed, Murray’s career continues and what a week so far
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